Simplified-file hyper text protocol

ABSTRACT

A system is provided wherein relatively low-end computers, such as portable, battery-powered computers ordinarily incapable of sophisticated Internet browsing functions may be used to browse the Internet. The enhanced computing ability for such portables is provided by a unique Internet server adapted for transposing data files to alternative, low-information-density form, preferably comprising simplified or single files suitable for rapid processing and display by connected portable and other low-end computers In embodiments wherein batter-powered field units are used, battery life is exhibited far beyond what would be expected for a battery-powered computer with computing power for browsing the Internet directly. In some embodiments of the invention adapted files are saved and identified for future use in communicating with specific devices over Internet connections.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/364,960 filed Feb. 12, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/506,107 filed Feb. 17, 2000, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,535,922, which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/791,249 filed Jan. 30, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,109,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/629,475filed Apr. 10, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,159.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of apparatus and methods includingsoftware for accessing information from the Internet, and providing theaccessed information to an end user. The invention has, in variousembodiments, particular applicability to portable computers powered bybatteries and the like used as field units for Internet access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many motivations to computer development, depending largely ontargeted customer groups. For example, a certified public accountantneeds to run applications having to do with accounting, taxes, financialplanning, and the like, while a fiction writer may wish only to use acomputer as a word processor. The kind of system one of these peoplemight choose to own may be vastly different from the type the otherwould purchase. Manufacturers plan their research and development toproduce products that appeal to their targeted customer bases.

Even with the considerable differences in needs between differentconsumer groups, there are still many commonly desirable traits incomputer development. For example, regardless of the ultimatefunctionality of a particular sort of computer, a low cost tomanufacture is a desirable characteristic. Another desirablecharacteristic is portability. There are advantages to being able toeasily move one's computing tool from place to place, and even greateradvantages to having a portable computer small enough to carry in apocket or purse.

Even though portability and small size is generally desirable, power andfunctionality are always desirable as well, and these characteristicsare competitive. Conventionally and historically one pays a penalty forsmall size and portability.

One of the penalties typically paid is functionality as related tobattery life. That is, if one uses a powerful and fast CPU in a portablecomputer, the size of the battery must be quite large, and life betweencharges will be relatively short. For example, it can be shown ingeneral that 100 grams of battery weight, fully charged, will powerabout 5×10⁸ instructions. It is to be understood that this is a generalfigure, and may vary somewhat for different CPUs, types of batteries,and the like.

Given the figure above relating battery weight to a number ofinstructions for illustrative purposes, if a portable computer is to beprovided with ability to execute relatively high-overhead applications,such a HTML files in Internet applications, the CPU for the portablecomputer will have to operate at 1 to 2 MIPS (million instructions persecond). Assuming 1 MIPS, a battery weight of 100 g. will discharge inabout 8 minutes. A five hundred gram (a little over one pound) batterywill provide a life between charges of about 41 minutes.

It is seen, then, that as applications and desired functions forpersonal computers become more sophisticated, it becomes ever moredifficult to provide theses applications and functions for small,personal, battery-powered computers.

There are some ways that battery life may be extended or optimized. Forexample, power-management techniques may extend battery life by 1.5, useof low-power integrated circuit technology can add another 1.5,sophisticated electrical storage technology another 1.5, and solarrecharge perhaps another 1.2. The net multiplier, using every means ofhelp is about 5, so a 500 g battery will then power such a computer forabout three hours. Five hours is still a relatively short batterylifetime, so sophisticated operations for small, portable computers,such as World Wide Web (WWW) browsing on the Internet, are not, untilthe time of the present invention, very practical.

Further to the above discussion, as the global network of connecteddatabases known as the World Wide Web continues to grow, social andpolitical concerns grow as well. Many are concerned that the expense andcomplexity of end-use computers suitable for Web browsing is aformidable barrier to increased information access by disadvantagedmillions, for which Web access may be seen as a tool for empowerment andsocial and political advancement.

What is clearly needed is apparatus and methods whereby sophisticatedoperations like Web browsing and the like may be accomplished withsmall, battery-powered portable computers, such as hand-held computers,while also accomplishing a life-between-charges of a week or more,without requiring especially heavy batteries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a computing system isprovided comprising a field computer comprising a display having aspecific size and resolution; and a Proxy-Server connected to the fieldcomputer by a data link, the Proxy-Server having an Internet port. TheProxy-Server is adapted in this preferred embodiment to access Internetservers through the Internet port directed by commands and data receivedfrom the field computer, to download data from the Internet servers thusaccessed, to transpose the downloaded data by reducing informationdensity, and to transfer the transposed data to the field computer viathe data link in a Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)format.

A particular advantage in embodiments of the invention accrues in use ofportable computers powered by electrical storage cell systems, such asby batteries of various sorts. In these embodiments functionality tobattery life is significantly extended. Hand-held computers withcomputing power lower than one-hundred thousand instructions per secondcan be apparently fully functional Internet browsing tools, whileenjoying battery life between charges of as much as two weeks, or more.

In various embodiments of the invention the Proxy-Server downloads datacomprising Web pages and transposes the data to match the specific sizeand resolution of the display of the field computer. The Proxy-Servermay also accomplish caching functions in handling data from the Internetto a field computer coupled to the Proxy-Server.

Also in some preferred embodiments of the invention, when a fieldcomputer makes a data link with a Proxy-Server adapted according toembodiments of the invention, the field computer transfers to theProxy-Server information particular to specific characteristics of thefield computer, such as the size and resolution of the display of thefield computer. The Proxy-Server then uses this information intransposing data for transfer to the field computer.

Various data links known in the art may be used for coupling fieldcomputers, such as battery-powered portable units, to a Proxy-Serveraccording to embodiments of the invention. Among these links aretelephone modems, both analog and digital, and cordless connections ofvarious types.

Elements of the invention in various aspects can be provided separatelyto be generally compatible in operation. For example, Proxy-Serversadapted to perform the browsing and data transposing functions ofembodiments of the invention, and adapted to transmit transposed filesto connected field computers can be provided without adapted fieldcomputers. Moreover, field computers can be provided for end-usersadapted for operation with Proxy-Servers, but may be provided separatefrom Proxy-Servers. Many existing computers, including those typesgenerally known as personal organizers, digital assistants, and thelike, may be adapted to cooperate with Proxy-Servers according toembodiments of the invention.

Further to the above, various items of software can also be providedaccording to and compatible with hardware devices and systemsindependently of the hardware devices and systems.

In practicing the invention, one's adapted personal computer is coupledto a Proxy-Server over a data link such as a telephone modem, and may,according to an aspect of the invention, transfer specific information,such as the type, size, and resolution of the personal computer'sdisplay, to the Proxy-Server. The Proxy-Server may then browse the WorldWide Web according to instructions received from the personal computer,transpose files downloaded from the Web into a form quickly and easilyusable by the personal computer, and transmit the transposed data to thepersonal computer for display. Very large files may become fewer files,and much smaller files in the transposition.

There are many benefits to be expected from practicing variousembodiments of this invention. For example, low-end, hand-heldcomputers, including such units known generally as personal organizersand personal digital assistants (PDAs), now become fully-functional Webbrowsers. This effect alone extends the use of the Web dramatically topeople and institutions that might otherwise be excluded from theexponentially growing body of human knowledge available. The benefitsextend to schoolrooms as well as to the homes of potential users.Accessibility is also significantly advanced for cultures and countrieswhere such technology might not be available soon, or ever. There aremany such social and cultural benefits. In addition, there are the clearbenefits of power-saving, produced by the very efficient use ofcomputing power at the Proxy-Servers of the invention, rather than atthe computers in the field.

In addition, combination designs of televisions and computers, which arejust being offered at the time of this patent application, could benefitfrom incorporation of features of this invention, wherein much of thecomputing load could be carried by a Proxy-Server, allowing simplicityand lower-end CPUs to be used at the TV apparatus. In alternativeembodiments, computing power no longer needed could be used for othertasks, such as providing a soft-modem. Reduced file size in suchapplications will also provide faster loading, which will be importantfor some time to come, because analog phone lines will continue to bethe principal carriers in the near future.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a largely diagrammatical illustration of a Proxy-Server systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a portable computer and a Proxy-Server from FIG.1, showing additional detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first part of an exemplary session scriptbetween a hand-held computer, a Proxy-Server, and a Web server accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second part of the exemplary session script for which FIG. 3is a first part.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an Uninterrupted Matrix of InexpensiveServers according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating enhanced E-mail and groupwarefunctions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overview illustration of a Web-browsing system according toan embodiment of the present invention wherein a proxy server is notused or needed.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in process flow foroperations of a server according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a largely diagrammatical illustration of a computing system 11according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodimenta hand-held computer 13 is connected via a telephone line 15 through amodem 17 to a first dial-up point 18, which may be an Internet ServiceProvider. Accordingly, dial-up point 18 is labeled ISP 1. In thisarrangement a Proxy-Server 19 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is established as a server on the Internet, and a command fromunit 13 to ISP 1 results in connection through a TCP/IP pipe 16 toProxy-Server 19. Proxy-Server 19 is labeled ISP 2, for Internet Provider2. Proxy-Server 19 has links to other Web servers on the Internet as isknown in the art, and may open TCP/IP paths 21 to any such Web server23.

In alternative arrangements, connection may be by modem from unit 13directly to Proxy-Server 19. Alternatively, Proxy-Server 19 may be anode on a LAN at a corporate system. In all cases of embodiments of theinvention, communication from unit 13 to Web servers 23 on the Internetis through Proxy-Server 19.

In this embodiment hand-held computer 13 is a high-end personalorganizer, such as a Sharp Wizard™ personal organizer. The hand-heldcomputer, however, can be any one of a large number of commerciallyavailable computing devices with a broad range of capabilities,including those devices known as personal digital assistants (PDAs). Inother embodiments and aspects of the present invention, the computerused by a person to access and interact with the Proxy-Server inpracticing the present invention need not be a hand-held, or even aportable computer in the sense the terms are used in the art. In someaspects, capabilities of a field unit according to the present inventionare built into a set-top box for a TV system or directly into a TV set.

Most computers capable of modem communication can serve to practice theinvention, and, in the following discussion, the terms field computer orfield unit are used to generally indicate a computer used anywhere forprimary Internet access, whether through and in cooperation with aProxy-Server according to an embodiment of the present invention, ornot.

Even though the present invention is not limited to hand-held,battery-powered computers, but is applicable to personal computers ofall types, the techniques of the invention are particularly advantageouswhen used with portable, battery powered devices as field units, becausethey provide a way to accomplish relatively sophisticated computeroperations with low-end, low-power CPUs. This technique is particularlyeffective in saving power relative to functionality, which providesgreatly extended battery life.

Returning to FIG. 1, in this arrangement, computer 13 has a modem 17,and is connected via phone lines 15 to a Proxy-Server 19, as describedabove, such as through a first dial-up point. This connection isconvenient, but not required. There are a number of other ways computer13 may be connected to the Internet, or to a similar Proxy-Serverwithout telephone lines, such as by a satellite link or cable modem, orby a combination of data links. Also, the modem shown may be a built-inmodem or an external modem, and may also be either an analog modem or adigital link such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)modem.

Proxy-Server 19 in this arrangement is unique. In a conventional system,proxy-servers, if used at all, are used only for caching and security.In embodiments of the present invention the Proxy-Server performs muchof the computing that computer 13 would otherwise be obliged to perform.Proxy-Server 19 and its functionality with computer 13 is described inmore detail below.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of hand-held computer 13,Proxy-Server 19, and WEB server 23 from FIG. 1 showing additionaldetail. In FIG. 2, computer 13 is shown connected directly toProxy-Server 19, but could be connected by a number of ways, as isdescribed more generally above.

Computer 13 has a CPU 25, a memory 27, video adapter circuitry 29, andmodem 17 all communicating on bus 31. Video circuitry 29 drives adisplay 33. Memory 27 may be any of a number of types, such as flash,random access (RAM), read-only (ROM) or similar type, or a combinationof these. There may be other components as well, but these are not shownto facilitate description of the unique aspects of this embodiment ofthe invention. The hardware arrangement is intentionally shown asgeneral, and is meant to represent a broad variety of architectures,which depend on the particular computing device used.

Proxy-Server 19 is a relatively sophisticated and powerful computertypical of computers used as WEB servers, although the use in thisembodiment of Proxy-Server 19 is not the conventional or typicalfunctions of a WEB server as known in the art. Proxy-Server 19 has a CPU39, a memory 41 and a means of connecting to a network. The networkconnecting means in this embodiment is a modem 35 communicating on a bus47. In other embodiments the network connecting means may be a networkadapter or other.

Modem 35 in the embodiment shown is compatible with modem 17 in computer13. In other embodiments link 15 may be of a different sort, andconnection may be made through a dial-up point as shown in FIG. 1. Acommunication port 37 connects to communication link 21 (FIG. 1),providing communication with conventional WEB server 23, which representany WEB server that may be accessed on the World Wide Web.

Port 37 and link 21 may be any of several types. In some embodiments,server 23 and server 19 will be nodes on a local area network (LAN), andthe link between the two servers will be a serial network link with port37 being a LAN card according to any of a number of well-knownprotocols. In other embodiments link 21 may be another telephone line,and port 37 will be a telephone modem. In still other embodiments, thislink could be a parallel communication link.

Proxy-Server 19 exists in this embodiment of the invention to performfunctions enabling hand-held computer 13 to operate as an apparentlypowerful web-browsing machine, even though the stand-alone capability ofcomputer 13 will not even begin to support such functionality. As iswell-known in the art, for a computer to be a fully-functionalweb-browsing system requires a high-performance CPU and execution ofrelatively sophisticated web-browsing and display applications. Such acomputer typically has to operate, as described above, at or above amillion instructions per second.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown by FIGS. 1 and 2Proxy-Server 19 executes a program 45 the inventor terms anInterBrowser. The InterBrowser combines functionality of a conventionalweb browser with special functions for recognition of and communicationwith hand-held computer 13. Commands from computer 13, such as, forexample, a command to access a WEB page on the World Wide Web, arereceived by Proxy-Server 19 operating the InterBrowser program, andacted upon as though they are commands received from a conventionalinput device such as a keyboard.

Following the example of a command communicated over link 15 fromcomputer 13 for accessing a WEB page (typically a Universal ResourceLocator (URL), Proxy-Server 19 accesses the appropriate server (in thiscase server 23) over link 21, and downloads the appropriate data overlink 21. Proxy-Server 19 therefore has HTML and TCP/IP capability, andtypically has access to and capability of executing a host of otherroutines as known in the art for supporting WEB browsing and accessingdata through the World Wide Web. These routines and this functionalityare all very well-known to those with skill in the art.

Proxy-Server 19, instead of displaying the downloaded data (or playingvideo and/or audio output, as the case may be, depending on thedownloaded data), translates the data to a simpler communicationprotocol and sends the data to computer 13 for output over link 15 in aTCP/IP protocol. Link 15 becomes a dedicated TCP/IP pipe to and fromProxy-Server 19. Proxy-Server 19 thus acts as a proxy for computer 13,performing those functions of WEB browsing computer 13 cannot perform.

Computer 13 through execution of a program the inventor terms aNanoBrowser 43 sends commands entered at computer 13 over link 15 toProxy-Server 19 and accepts data from Proxy-Server 19 to be displayed ondisplay 33. Data is transferred in a protocol the inventor termsHT-Lite. The NanoBrowser also provides for interactive selection oflinks and entry into fields in displays, as is typical for WEB pagesdisplayed on a computer screen. The NanoBrowser provides for acceptingsuch entry, packaging data packets in TCP/IP form, and forwarding suchdata to Proxy-Server 19, where much greater computer power provides forefficient processing.

In conventional WEB browsing, all final processing takes place at thebrowser's computer, and those who establish WEB servers assume thatbrowser's will operate with sufficiently powerful equipment and programsto accomplish all of the necessary processing. No such processing isdone at the WEB servers.

One of the processing tasks that has to conventionally occur at thebrowser's computer is processing of received data into a format to bedisplayed on whatever display the user has. There are, as is well-knownin the art, many types of displays and many display modes. These rangeall the way from relatively crude LCD displays to high-resolution,multi-color displays. There are, in addition, a number of otherfunctions that have to be performed conventionally at a user's computerto interact effectively with the WWW. For example, audio and video andsome other functions typically require supplemental, or helper,applications to be installed on or downloaded to a field unit to processaudio and video data and the like.

Most data transferred by WEB servers assumes relatively high-enddisplays, such as color SVGA displays as known in the art. In PDAs anddigital organizers, such as those anticipated for use in the presentinvention, the displays are relatively low resolution, and are typicallyLCD in nature. In the system described with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2InterBrowser program 45 at the Proxy-Server and the HT-Lite NanoBrowserprogram at the hand-held unit cooperate in another manner as well. Whenone connects to the Proxy-Server the hand-held unit, through the HT-LiteNanoBrowser program, provides a signature which the Proxy-Servercompares with logged signatures.

An ID match when connecting a hand-held unit to the Proxy-Serverprovides the Proxy-Server with information about the hand-held unit,such as CPU type and power, screen size, type and resolution, presenceof a pointer device, and sound capability. The Proxy-Server then usesthis specific information to translate HTML and other files from theInternet to a form readily usable without extensive additionalprocessing by the hand-held unit. For a small monochrome LCD display a60 k/70 k JPEG file becomes a 2 k/4 k bit map, for example. Also,multi-file pages are recombined into single file pages. This translationalso minimizes bandwidth requirement for link 15, and speedstransmission of data.

It is in this ability of the Proxy-Server to do the heavy computing, ofwhich the translation of HTML files is a single example, that isresponsible for a unique ability of hand-held devices in practicingembodiments of the present invention to accomplish functions that theycould not otherwise accomplish, and to do so without inordinate usage ofstored energy. In various embodiments of the present invention,hand-held devices with CPUs having an ability to run at from 0.001 to0.05 MIPs can serve as WEB browsers, displaying WEB pages and allowingusers to initiate on-screen links and to input data into input fields.Given the above example of MIPs requirement for WEB browsing, wherecurrently available solutions may provide a 5× advantage, practicing thepresent invention can provide an advantage of up to 2000×, resulting inbattery life approaching 2 weeks (given a 100 g battery weight), whereexpected battery life for similar functionality with a powerful CPU wascalculated as 8 minutes.

There are many functions other than simple WEB browsing that aredesirable for a hand-held devices like those contemplated to be usedwith systems according to embodiments of the present invention. Thetypical functions for digital organizers and PDAs, for example, such asscheduling of appointments, listing phone numbers, addresses and thelike, taking notes, sending faxes and E-mail and so forth, and suchtasks as currency conversion, are still provided by a hand-held unitexecuting HT-Lite. Now, however, these functions are more interactivethan previously, as data for these functions can be exchanged throughthe TCP/IP link with the Proxy-Server, which may access data from avariety of sources to update data for such functions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a variety ofGroupware functions are supported, wherein a database having variabledata such as appointment schedules for employees may be accessed fromseveral different points, such as from a computer at home, a computer ona network at the office, and a hand-held computer in the field, througha Proxy-Server connection. In such interactive circumstances, date andtime monitoring may be used so files in different locations may beupdated when connection is made between units having different versionsof a file. Also, access may be provided selectively, so, if preferred,only certain persons may have access to certain files. For example, oneuser could grant another access to his or her appointment schedule, suchthat one could make an appointment for oneself on another's appointmentschedule.

To practice the invention, given an accessible WEB server configured asa Proxy-Server according to an embodiment of the present invention, oneneeds only to load HT-Lite NanoBrowser software on a computer and toprovide Internet access for the computer, such as by a telephone modem.In many cases, candidate computers have built-in modems. In other cases,an external modem may be provided and connected. In the case ofhand-held devices, such as PDAs and organizers, some have an ability toload software via a serial port, a PC card slot, through the modemextant or provided, or by other conventional means. In some cases, alloperating code is embedded, that is, recorded in read-only memory. Insome of these cases, adding HT-Lite routines may require a hardwarereplacement. In virtually all cases of hand-held devices, however, thenecessary routines can be provided.

One of the components of the HT-Lite NanoBrowser software is a minimumbrowser routine termed by the inventor a NanoBrowser. The NanoBrowser iscapable of exerting a URL over the modem connection to access theProxy-Server. Theoretically, one could exert a URL of a WEB site otherthan the Proxy-Server, but the result would be an unusable connection,as the small hand-held unit would not be able to handle thesophisticated data provided to be downloaded.

Connection to the Proxy-Server provides the Proxy-Server withinformation as to the subscriber and the subscriber's equipment. Theseoperations proceed in a manner well-known in the art for such log-on andsecurity transactions. Once access is extended to the user, an interfaceis provided for the user to browse in a manner very similar towell-known WEB interfaces. That is, the user's display provides an entryfield for a URL which is asserted by an enter key or the like. There mayalso be an address book for often-visited sites, as is common with morepowerful machines.

Developers are quickly introducing new and useful features for WEBbrowsing, such as an ability for users to access electronic documentsthrough access to their own WEB pages, machine-independently. All suchfeatures will be available in the practice of the present invention, asthere is nothing in the invention that inherently restricts use morethan the use of more powerful machines.

Similarly, there are no strict requirements for the location of theProxy-Server or of accessible WEB servers in embodiments of the presentinvention. No restrictions are placed on such locations beyondrestrictions on servers in general. In one embodiment, a corporationwith multiple and perhaps international locations may have a local areanetwork with one or more Proxy-Servers, and employees, particularlythose employees whose job functions require travel, are provided withhand-held digital assistants according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Multiple functions are then provided over Internet connectionin Internet protocol, far beyond what could otherwise be provided withsmall and inexpensive units; and battery life would be far beyond whatwould otherwise be expected.

FIGS. 3 and 4 together form an example of a session script betweenhand-held computer 13, Proxy-Server 19, and any WEB server 23. Thesefigures are used herein to describe important functions of theNanoBrowser incorporated in computer unit 13, and the InterBrowser,incorporated in Proxy-Server 19, as well as to illustrate methods inpracticing the present invention.

Referring first to FIG. 3, the figure is divided generally into threecolumns (as is FIG. 4), one for functions performed at computer fieldunit 13, a middle column for functions performed at Proxy-Server 19, anda third column for functions performed at WEB server 23.

At step 47 a user turns on the hand-held computer. It is assumed at thispoint that a data link is established between the hand-held andProxy-Server 19, which is represented in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 by theboundary between the left column and the center column. As previouslydescribed, this interface can be of any convenient sort, such as ananalog telephone modem. After the hand-held performs a simple boot-upprocess, a menu is presented to the user. One of the selections (byvirtue of the NanoBrowser software) is Browse/Mail.

At step 49 the user selects Browse/Mail. Other functions of thehand-held, that may be fully supported without connection to aProxy-Server, such as appointment scheduling and phone lists, are notrepresented here, except by the general step 51 labeled “OtherActivity”. There may be other menu selections, and the Browse/Mailselection is exemplary. Initiation of communication with theProxy-Server could be accomplished in other ways.

Routines in the NanoBrowser respond to the Browse/Mail selection bypresenting the necessary interface for the user to access his/hersubscribed Internet provider. At step 53 this interface is presented andthe user makes the necessary inputs to establish the providerconnection.

The present example assumes connection and operation through an Internetprovider, wherein the subscriber's status is that of a Proxy-Serversubscriber, although this is not the only arrangement within the scopeof the invention. Employees of a corporation might, for example, log onto a server on a company network.

Connection to the Internet provider is made at step 55. At step 57action is taken to establish an Internet Protocol (IP) connection to aProxy-Server according to the present invention. Initial communicationfrom the connected hand-held causes the Proxy-Server to open a port andestablish the connection at step 59.

At step 61 the user logs on by entering a user name and password and thefield unit identifies itself with its ID. At step 63 the Proxy-Servercompares the entered password and ID with stored records, and derives asignature for the unit. At step 65 the Proxy-Server decides whether theinformation is correct. If the Log-On is valid, control passes to step67, and the Proxy-Server acknowledges the successful log-on to thehand-held unit at step 69. If the log-on is not valid, control in theProxy-Server goes from step 65 to step 71, and the Proxy-Serverdisconnects from the hand-held unit. The Proxy-Server then waits for anew ID request (step 73).

At the hand-held unit, assuming an unsuccessful log-on, control passesfrom step 74 back to step 53, and the user is provided anotheropportunity to log on. Control continuity from the hand-held unit tofurther steps in FIG. 4 is indicated by line 76. For the Proxy-Serverthe control continuity to FIG. 4 is indicated by line 78.

Referring now to FIG. 4, which is a continuation of FIG. 3, continuitylines 76 and 78 are shown at the top of the figure. Following theactivity at the hand-held, at step 79 a request is sent from thehand-held (after having been entered by the user) to access a page onthe WWW. This request is represented by the URL WWW.Any.Com, which canbe any valid Universal Resource Locator (URL) for the Internet.

At step 81 the Proxy-Server receives this request. The proxy serverprocesses the request from the hand-held and at step 83 issues a newrequest through its own full-service browser, through its connection tothe Internet, to access WWW.Any.Com. At step 85 the WWW server atWWW.Any.Com receives the request from the Proxy-Server and at step 87sends its home page HTML file, represented as Home.HTML, to theProxy-Server.

At step 89 the Proxy-Server receives Home.HTML. Home pages typicallycontain at least one image file, which in many cases is a JPG file.Accordingly, at least two files must be downloaded to display a homepage. At step 91 a request for a JPG image file is sent by theProxy-Server 19. The web server 23 receives this request at step 93 andsends the image file to the Proxy-Server at step 95. The Proxy-Serverreceives the image file at step 97. There may be many more files thanthis, but a minimum representation has been made for simplicity indescription.

At step 101 the Proxy-Server converts all of the .jpg files to adithered bitmap format according to information associated with the userID received from the hand-held at log-on. This ID establishes the sizeand resolution of the hand-held's display, for example, and the bitmapcreated from the jpg files is scaled to the hand-held's display.

Once all the files in the Home page script are downloaded from theaccesses Web server at WWW.Any.Com, the Proxy-Server assembles all ofthese files into a single HT-Lite (HTL) file for transfer to thehand-held. This process is represented by step 103. At step 105 the newHTL file is transmitted to the hand-held unit. The hand-held receives atstep 107 the single HTL file prepared from the several HTML filesreceived by the Proxy-Server. Finally, at step 109 the hand-held awaitsnew user input, such as, for example, a request to jump to a relatedpage.

As has been described above, field computers of many sorts may be usedfor connecting to the Internet through a Proxy-Server according toembodiments of the present invention, although there are particularadvantages in using small, inexpensive, battery-powered, hand-held fieldunits. As has also been described, information relating to the fieldunit used by each subscriber is recorded at the Proxy-Server (oravailable to the Proxy-Server), and, upon connection, the Proxy-Serveraccesses this information, and uses it in transposing files for aparticular unit.

In some cases, a display used by a field unit will be large enough todisplay an entire page from the WWW. In other cases, it will bepreferable to present just a part of an entire page, because the displayof the field unit may be too small to provide an entire page withadequate resolution. In these cases it will be necessary to zoom and panto see an entire page. In one embodiment of the invention a field unitis provided with an auxiliary small display, to present informationrelative to the position on a page that may be presented on the mainscreen, as an aid in panning to other parts of the page.

It is well-known that graphic information is not the only informationaccessible on the Internet. Audio may be downloaded in many cases aswell. In many cases where audio is available, software, often termed a“media player” is provided to be downloaded from the same source to beused by the connecting computer in processing the audio data. Thepresent structure of the Internet WWW is such that users are assumed tohave certain kinds of equipment of sufficient computing power to do Webbrowsing and to operate media players. For example, media players aretypically provided for IBM-compatible PC, Macintosh, or Sun systems.

In many embodiments of the present invention, wherein field units ofmuch lesser power than the present assumptions may be used, theseassumptions are no longer valid. Many field units which may now, withthe unique capabilities of Proxy-Servers according to embodiments of thepresent invention, be used for browsing the WWW, will not be capable ofexecuting the typical media players.

As has been described above, subscribers to a Proxy-Server systemaccording to the present invention will provided characteristics oftheir particular field units to the Proxy-Server, and the Proxy-Serverwill use the information in transposing files. The same is true foraudio, so the Proxy-Server will “know” if a particular field unit has aspeaker system, and what the computing capability of the field unit is.In alternative embodiments of the present invention, field units will beprovided with capability to receive Linear Predictive Coded (LPC) audiodata, and to drive one or more speaker units. The Proxy-Server, in thesecases, will either download the media players as necessary, or bepreviously programmed with media players, and will convert the audiodata downloaded from the Internet to the form usable by the field unitsas a part of the overall transposing process.

In some aspects of the invention specialized field units are providedfor special purposes. A hand-held computer is provided, for example,with a CPU, a ROM having embedded NanoBrowser software, a main display,and an auxiliary display for indicating page position for panning andthe like. In some variations, a microphone and a speaker are alsoprovided, and the on-board software includes routines for processingaudio in both directions, to and from the Proxy-Server. In othervariations a digital camera apparatus is provided with the hand-heldunit, and a user can snap digital pictures and send the data to theProxy-Server or to any other machine on the Internet by E-mail. Incombinations of these variations very useful systems are provided forfield operatives of such as insurance companies to do field work.

Other field units are provided in alternative embodiments as desk unitsfor school environments, having many or all of the features of thehand-held units described, but taking the form of desktop units withconventional power supplies rather than batteries. Such units can bemade with considerably lower complexity and cost than unitsconventionally capable of interacting with the Internet, providing muchexpanded Internet access for school systems and the like. These unitsincorporate NanoBrowsers according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

Another form of field unit according to the present invention is aTV-type unit having a low-end CPU and embedded NanoBrowser softwareaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Home TV-computertechnology may thus be provided through a Proxy-Server connection at acost very much below currently available systems. Such units will alsobe attractive for use in hotels, as they expand on existing informationsystems using TV sets in hotel rooms.

In captured corporate systems, properly termed Intranet systems,scheduling, ordering, instructions, travel arrangements, and the likecan be extensively interactive. For example, a secretary may access anappointment schedule file using a regular PC connected to the Internet,the schedule for an employee temporarily inaccessible (in the middle ofthe night in Moscow, for example, while the employee may be sleeping)and make adjustments in the employee's appointments. When the employeenext establishes contact with the Proxy-Server, the appointment calendarin the employee's unit is compared by date and time stamp, andautomatically updated as necessary, following preset rules for conflictresolution.

An advantage inherent in different embodiments of the present inventionis that future improvements in HTML, specific WEB browsing applications,and helper applications need not be installed on the field units used inpracticing the invention. Such improvements need only be made in theProxy-Server. The Proxy-Server can also be updated to do the besttranslation possible for such improvements.

In an important aspect of the invention, Proxy-Servers adapted toembodiments of the present invention may be provided by commercialInternet providers, thereby providing their customers with extendedfunctionality for small and inexpensive computer units, lowering theexpense and complexity typically required of machines that may beexpected to access the Internet. In this aspect, customers of suchproviders could browse the Internet and download and displaysophisticated files with existing inexpensive portable computers,personal digital assistants, and digital organizers. This featurepromises to dramatically increase accessibility to the Internet, and tolower barriers to entering the Internet world for many people who couldotherwise not afford to do so.

Also in embodiments of the invention as incorporated in Proxy-Servers,caching is provided, whereby data downloaded from other Internet serversaccessed according to commands entered by users in the field havingunits connected to the Proxy-Server, may be temporarily stored before orafter translation for field units, enhancing viewing speed dramaticallyat the field units.

It is anticipated that one Proxy-Server may serve a large number ofhand-held computers, giving each served computer a functionality farbeyond what it could otherwise provide given its power and cost. Currentestimates indicate that a single Proxy-Server may serve 100 or morefield units simultaneously. Since statistically not all subscribers maybe expected to be using their field units at the same time, one suchProxy-Server could serve perhaps 2000 subscribers.

Even though a single Proxy-Server might be expected to serve arelatively large number of subscribers at the same time, the number ofpotential users of such a system is very much larger than a singleProxy-Server could be expected to service. For this reason, in apreferred embodiment of the invention, an Un-interrupted Matrix ofInexpensive Servers (UMIS) is provided as a method for implementationfor the Proxy Server. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a UMIS system 111wherein relatively small, inexpensive servers 113, each with its ownhard disks, are interconnected in a network protocol with a router 115and a mirroring traffic cop server 117. Such a system can handle massivenumbers of requests, at a moderate cost, and the system and is scalableand to a high degree fail-safe.

An incoming request is directed to the traffic cop, which is a mirroringsystem, so that in case one unit fails, the other can take over withoutinterruption. The traffic cop determines that availability and load ofall IS's on a regular basis by connecting a requesting a load number(timeout is regarded as failure of that IS), so it can direct requeststo the lowest loaded IS. If an IS fails, the traffic cop will learn ofit at the next round, and can notify a system supervisor. The load isthen shared between the remaining units. Also, a failure of one of themirroring units triggers a notification to the supervisor. An escalationcan be added via e-mail and pagers until proper action is taken.

Ideally the IS units are like drawers that fit into a rack, and have ared light that goes on when and if they fail. This way, servicepersonnel can see immediately which unit needs to be exchanged.

Since there is only transitory data on hard-disks of the IS's, no datarecovery is required. In case of open connections, the client's TCP/IPprotocol will retry after a time out, and will be directed by the cop toa new IS, thus recovering completely transparently. This way cost persubscriber can be held very low. On the Cop units, since they aremirroring, after an exchange of a defective unit a software routine isstarted that reconfigures the new unit to be synchronized.

As was described above, in systems according to embodiments of thepresent invention, many database functions can be shared with entries,edits and updates made over Internet connections. In addition todatabase functions, systems according to embodiments of the inventioncan accomplish enhanced E-mail functions. FIG. 6 is a flow diagramillustrating the nature of such functionality.

The functions illustrated by the flow diagram of FIG. 6 are accomplishedby executing software either on a Proxy-Server or at a separate mailserver which may be accessed by a Proxy-Server according to anembodiment of the present invention. The routines depicted here are amodified version of SendMail routines known in the art.

In FIG. 6 events for purposes of description begin at step 119. ModifiedSendMail is active. At step 121 incoming mail is received. In thismodified system, there are three file systems 123, 125, and 127 forstoring E-mail in different versions. At step 129 a text copy is savedin file system 123 according to Post Office Protocol, revision 3 (POP-30format, known in the art. At step 131 a copy of the received E-mailentity is saved in HTML format, for WEB mail. At step 133 a copy of theentity is saved in HTL format, compatible with the communicationprotocol for HT-Lite used between a field unit and a Proxy-Server inembodiments of the present invention.

At step 135 an HTML index is updated. At step 137 an HTL index isupdated. At step 139 a discrimination is made as to whether datareceived is flagged to update a GroupWare database. If not, the processends at step 141. If so, the appropriate database is updated at step 143in file system 145. Examples of such databases are an appointmentschedule, a ToDo list, a project file, a contacts file, and resumes.There are many more databases that might be updated as well. At step 147notification of changes in a database are sent to appropriate offsiteaddresses. The process ends at step 149 until another E-mail message isreceived.

In the manner shown, E-mail may be shared in the conventional POP 3manner, sent as HTML with a WEB page, or sent over a TCP/IP pipe as anHT-Lite file directly to a field unit having a NanoBrowser according tothe present invention. Moreover, the Internet links may be used tomanipulate the scheduling and other GroupWare functions described. Also,the technology disclosed here relative to E-mail and GroupWare functionscan be applied to other massive server functions; it is not limited tothe Proxy-Server of the present invention.

In another aspect of the present invention the objectives of theinvention may be met without the necessity of having a proxy serverbetween the user's device, such as a hand-held personal computer, andother servers on the world-wide web (WWW).

As was described above in descriptions of some preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, the unique proxy server accomplishes certaintranslations and processes that allow quick and efficient integration ofdata with a user's device. The proxy server, in a preferred embodimentfirst processes data requested to be transmitted to a specific user'sdevice according to pre-stored characteristics of the specific user'sdevice, or according to characteristics transmitted by the user'sdevice. For example, graphics are processed to provide specificresolution and size according to the specific user's display. Also onlymulti-media extensions supported by the user's device are used, and datais preferably combined into one file for each transfer. In this manner,each communication with each user's device is done in a fast andefficient manner, tailored to the needs of each user, and the user canthen function with a minimum hardware/software device that may be energyefficient providing long life between battery charges.

FIG. 7 illustrates an architecture for a system according to analternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodimentthere is no intermediate proxy server as was described above in otherembodiments of the invention, but a server 702 capable of conventionalHTTP or HTTPS communication is enhanced to provide an alternativeSimplified File Hyper Text Protocol (SFHTP) capability, and this servermay then communicate over the Internet with hand-held computers 703 in amanner to significantly enhance communication speed and efficiency. Thedifference between a conventional server and an SFHTP server accordingto this embodiment of the present invention is in the control routines.

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram illustrating steps followed by aSFHTP-enhanced server according a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A request for service is received at step 801 by a Web Serverenhanced according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step802 the server, through its on-board CPU examines the request. If therequest is a conventional HTTP or HTTPS request, control goes to step803, and processing is according to conventional routines as providedfor any conventional HTTP request. If the request, however, is a uniqueSFHTP request according to an embodiment of the present invention,control is passed to a unique set of control routines beginning withstep 810.

The request received may be from a subscriber for SFHTP services or froma conventional subscriber. The difference for a SFHTP subscriber may beaccomplished in a number of ways. For example, the request may be taggedby a single additional bit or character, or several additional databits, in a manner that a conventional server (not enhanced for SFHTPservices) will simply ignore or error flag the request. An SFHTPsubscriber's usually minimally capable device may proceed to interactwith the conventional server, albeit at a greatly reduced speed and withminimum features.

If the request is found at step 802 to be a SFFTP request, at step 810the type and functionality of the user's device is established. Asdescribed above, this may be by matching an ID provided in the requestwith a list of functionality and characteristics previously provided bythe user and stored at the enhanced server, or an interaction may beestablished wherein the user's device transfers the list of availablefeatures to the enhanced server. The list of available features caninclude such things as screen type, size and resolution; sound options;telephony; credit capabilities (card readers); media players; and thelike.

At step 811 the control routines of the enhanced server begin to createthe best fit in multimedia content for the requested data according tothe user's device capabilities and characteristics. This processincludes step 820 wherein the system of the invention determines if abest fit is immediately available. If so, control goes on to step 812.If not, in a preferred embodiment a best fit is generated and stored atstep 821, and then control passes on the step 812. In step 821 a graphicis created having the size and resolution of the requesting user'sdisplay, and that picture is stored for future use. If the same user ora user having a device with the same display characteristics laterrequests this picture, it may be retrieved and sent immediately withoutthe need for generating the best fit.

At step 812 a single file is composed using the requested informationprocessed according to the best multimedia fit for the user's device.That file is then transmitted to the user at step 813. Just as describedabove for other embodiments of the present invention the filetransmitted to the user is attuned exactly to the user's needs, and maybe directly displayed without heavy software overhead at the user'sdevice, thereby enabling the user to maintain a minimally-configured andpowered device.

The single file transmitted to the user contains the data for the staticpart of a WEB page to be displayed. It may still contain animation, butno new data. It may contain information on opening connections forcontinuous data type operations, such as telephony, broadcast, video,virtual reality, and so forth. After the file is sent the instantsession is terminated. Eventually opened communications may stay openhowever, until they are closed by either the user of by the server.

It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that there are manyvariations that may be made in embodiments of the invention as describedabove without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.There are, for example, a wide variety of ways different programmersmight arrange code to accomplish the purposes described for theinvention. Such differences in code do not necessarily constitutedistinguishable variations because it is well known that the sameresults in function, hence method of application, may well beaccomplished by a variety of code and/or system arrangements. The rangeof functions provided at a field unit may also vary widely in differentembodiments of the invention, and there are, as described above, manysorts of computer units that will qualify as field units in cooperationwith a Proxy-Server according to embodiments of the invention.

Other variations within the scope of the invention include hardwarevariations. There is no strict requirement for a Proxy-Server other thanthe requirement of executing the InterBrowser program or programs incombination with WEB browsing functions, while maintaining communicationwith one or more field units and one or more other WEB servers. Thereare similarly many other variations that will be apparent to those withskill in the art, all within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A digital picture system comprising: a hand-held field unitcomprising a digital camera; and a server that is communicativelycoupled to the field unit; wherein the field unit is adapted to send tothe server digital picture data associated with digital pictures takenby the digital camera.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the field unitis adapted to email the digital picture data to the server.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the server is communicatively coupled to theInternet.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the server is adapted totransmit the digital picture data over the Internet.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the server is communicatively coupled to a secondserver and adapted to send the picture data to the second server.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the server is adapted to transmit the digitalpicture data to a client.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the serveris adapted to reduce information density of the digital picture data inaccordance with a type and functionality of the client, and to transmitthe digital picture data with reduced information density to the client.8. A hand-held field unit comprising: a digital camera; a communicationsport for communicatively coupling the field unit to a server via anetwork; and a processor that is adapted to send digital picture data tothe server via the communications port, wherein the digital picture datais associated with a digital picture taken by the digital camera.
 9. Thefield unit of claim 8, wherein the processor is adapted to email thedigital picture data.
 10. A hand-held field unit comprising: a digitalcamera; a communications port for communicatively coupling the fieldunit to a server via a network; and a processor adapted to processdigital picture data associated with pictures taken by the digitalcamera and to receive digital picture data from said server via saidcommunications port.
 11. The field unit of claim 10, wherein the serveris adapted to reduce information density of the digital picture data inaccordance with a type and functionality of the field unit, and whereinthe digital picture data received from the server has an informationdensity that has been reduced according to the type and functionality ofthe field unit.
 12. The field unit of claim 10, wherein the server isadapted to simplify a protocol associated with the digital picture data,and wherein the digital picture data received from the server isreceived according to the simplified protocol.
 13. A server, comprising:a data port adapted for communicatively coupling the server to a handheld field unit; an Internet port for receiving digital picture data viathe Internet; and one or more control routines that determine a type andfunctionality of the field unit, reduce information density of thedigital picture data in accordance with the type and functionality ofthe field unit, and transmit the digital picture data with reducedinformation density to the field unit.
 14. The server of claim 13,wherein said one or more control routines are adapted to transmit audiodata to the field unit.
 15. The server of claim 14, wherein said one ormore control routines are adapted to transmit said audio data to saidfield unit with reduced information density.
 16. The server of claim 13,wherein said one or more control routines are adapted to simplify aprotocol associated with said digital picture data, and to transmit saiddigital picture data to said field unit according to the simplifiedprotocol.
 17. A server, comprising: a data port adapted forcommunicatively coupling the server to a client; an Internet port foraccessing digital picture data from the Internet; and one or morecontrol routines adapted to simplify a protocol associated with saiddigital picture data, and to transmit said digital picture data to saidclient according to the simplified protocol.
 18. A server, comprising: adata port adapted for communicatively coupling the server to a hand heldfield unit; and one or more control routines adapted to receive digitalpicture data from the field unit; an Internet port for providing thedigital picture data via the Internet to a client or a second server inresponse to a data request from said client or second server.
 19. Theserver of claim 18, wherein said one or more control routines areadapted to receive audio data from the field unit.
 20. The server ofclaim 18, wherein said server includes stored data identifying the typeand functionality of the field unit for processing of future datarequests from the field unit.
 21. The server of claim 18, wherein datarequests from the field unit include an ID for the field unit, and saidID for the field unit is compared by at least one of the controlroutines to IDs stored in said server to determine functionality andcharacteristics the field unit based on said ID.
 22. The server of claim21, wherein said one or more control routines reduce information densityof the digital picture data in accordance with the type andfunctionality of the client, and transmit the digital picture data withreduced information density to the client
 23. A method for communicatingdigital picture data using a hand-held field unit comprising a digitalcamera, the method comprising: taking a picture with the digital camera;the field unit sending to a server digital picture data associated withthe picture taken.
 24. A method for communicating digital picture data,the method comprising: receiving via a network digital picture dataassociated with a picture taken by a digital camera included in ahand-held field unit; and causing delivered digital picture data to bedelivered to a client, the delivered digital picture data correspondingto the received digital picture data.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein said client is said hand-held field unit.
 26. The method ofclaim 24, wherein said client is a second hand-held field unit.
 27. Themethod of claim 24, wherein said delivered digital picture data is thedigital picture data associated with the picture taken.
 28. The methodof claim 24, further comprising: simplifying a protocol associated withsaid picture data, and causing the delivered digital picture data to bedelivered to the client according to the simplified protocol.
 29. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising: determining a type andfunctionality of the client, reducing information density of the digitalpicture data in accordance with the type and functionality of theclient, and causing the delivered digital picture data to be deliveredto the client with reduced information density.
 30. The method of claim24, wherein the delivered picture data is reduced in resolution comparedto the picture taken with the digital camera.
 31. The method of claim24, further comprising: receiving the digital picture data from ahand-held field unit that is communicatively coupled to the network. 32.A method for communicating digital picture data, the method comprising:receiving digital picture data via a network; and causing to bedelivered to a hand-held field unit having a digital camera, delivereddigital picture data associated with the received digital picture data.33. A hand-held field unit, comprising: a digital camera adapted to takedigital pictures; a display; and a processor coupled to the digitalcamera and to the display, wherein said processor is adapted to displaysaid digital pictures in each of a plurality of user-selectable displaymodes.
 34. The field unit of claim 33, wherein a first of said displaymodes includes displaying a digital picture with reduced resolution suchthat the entire digital picture may be displayed on the display.
 35. Thefield unit of claim 34, wherein providing a second of said display modesincludes displaying only a portion of said picture and providing acapability to pan around the picture.
 36. The field unit of claim 34,wherein providing a second of said display modes includes displayingonly a portion of said picture and providing a capability to zoom intoor out of said picture.